Filmmaker James Omokwe has turned 42.
On Tuesday, he shared a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption, “42. 🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁🎁” to celebrate the milestone.
Omokwe is known for directing both feature films and long‑form television projects. Some of his notable works include:
1. Awakening – A Nigerian thriller co-directed with Ethan Okwara. The movie stars OC Ukeje, Kehinde Bankole, Femi Brainard and Bryan Okwara. It was one of the highly rated Nigerian films of its release year and received a nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Achievement in Visual Effects.
2. Osamede – A historical fantasy-epic film. The story follows a young orphan girl in the 1897 Benin Kingdom who discovers she has powers tied to a sacred stone and becomes a guardian for her people. The film stars Ivie Okujaye, Lexan Peters, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi and Lancelot Imasuen.
3. The Yard – A TV drama set around Ajagoro Motor Park, where a bus driver and a young man join forces against a powerful motor park leader, exploring themes of survival, ambition and justice.
4. Cheta M – A long-form Nigerian telenovela that follows the story of Adanna and Nnanna, whose love faces political, spiritual and social obstacles amid conflicts between rival kingdoms.
5. Itura – A drama series set in a fictional kingdom that blends romance, politics and tradition as villagers and nobles navigate personal and political challenges.
6. Ajoche – A historical drama series set in pre-colonial Nigeria, focusing on the people of Ocholuje after a betrayal leads to the murder of an innocent woman and their struggle for justice and survival.
7. Diiche – A thriller series where a woman becomes the prime suspect in her fiancé’s murder at their engagement party, leading to an investigation that uncovers deep secrets.
While many of Omokwe’s projects are serialized television rather than traditional feature films, they are widely recognised as part of his contribution to Nigerian cinema and streaming content.
